Along the Petite Pierrelle street, not far from the stream of Torras and the road where the blackbirds sing, lies our pretty Maison Bleue. Leaning against the Hermitage Hill, one of the most beautiful vineyards in the world, this small stone house with blue shutters was once a real haven of peace for our winegrowers: a place to work, rest and share located in the heart of a legendary terroir. Today, this house of winegrowers has regained a new youth. Winegrowers and horses take shelter from time to time. Our Maison Bleue still serves as a shelter for our grapes to dry our straw wine when we produce it. This year, we will use its space to dry our plants for biodynamic preparations. A new life in the respect of traditions.

The particularity of 2017 is its remarkable earliness, which even dethrones 2003. A budbreak at the end of March, irregular flowering, veraison before the berries had finished growing, hot and dry conditions, interspersed with life-saving storms, led to an early harvest characterized by small berries with thick and very healthy skins. Under these stressful conditions, only the best soils allow the vine to achieve the complete phenolic ripening of the grapes; provided that the viticulture has favored the deep rooting of the vine and the proper functioning of the soils. A long-term work that makes a difference.

Produced on the most easterly vineyards of the hill, where soils are deeper, less stony and slope flatter. Hand-picked, sorting on the plot, in small crates. The vatting period lasts around four weeks with gentle extractions. Aged in French oak barrels (20% new). Age this wine from 10 to 25 years.